JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 21, 2011 — Delegates from 51社区 to the 42nd General Assembly of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature earned the Best Delegation award for their role in the proceedings Nov. 17-20 at the State Capitol in Nashville.
TISL is a statewide organization formed in 1966 to give college students a voice in state government. The nonpartisan organization convenes a General Assembly each year, held in the Tennessee General Assembly鈥檚 chambers, for students to introduce debate and vote on legislation about state issues.
Seventeen 51社区 students participated in the event.
The Best Delegation designation is given to the group that distinguishes itself by being active during debates, presenting good bills and overall involvement in the proceedings. At the end of the session, the members of the executive council select the recipient of the Best Delegation from among the 40 colleges and universities represented at the assembly.
Union has won the Best Delegation award three years in a row, and four times in the last five years.
鈥淲e were involved in every area of TISL, from the House, to the Senate, to the lobbying program, to the Supreme Court,鈥� said Karl Magnuson, president of Union鈥檚 Student Government Association and leader of Union鈥檚 TISL delegation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a big deal to us that such a small school could have gotten this three years in a row. Union is really respected.鈥�
Union junior Shelly Ezell served as speaker pro tem of the House of Representatives for this year鈥檚 meeting, while Magnuson was the House鈥檚 chief clerk. Union freshman Michael Adkisson was elected speaker pro tem of the Senate for next year鈥檚 meeting after staging a successful write-in campaign.
Junior Kirby Lewis was chosen this summer as a Supreme Court justice for next year鈥檚 General Assembly, and will serve as the court鈥檚 chief justice.